Point Cruz Plaque

The Point Cruz Plaque, located near the Point Cruz Yacht Club in Honiara, commemorates one of the most significant events in the history of the Solomon Islands: the first recorded European landing. In February 1568, the Spanish explorer Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira arrived at this peninsula and erected a wooden cross, leading to the name 'Point Cruz' (Point of the Cross). The monument marks the beginning of European contact with the archipelago, which Mendaña named the Solomon Islands in the mistaken belief that they contained the source of King Solomon's biblical gold. Today, Point Cruz is the bustling commercial heart and main port of Honiara, yet the plaque serves as a quiet reminder of the 16th-century Age of Discovery. The Yacht Club itself is a social hub for sailors and locals, but its grounds preserve the historical site of Mendaña's landing. For historians and travelers, the plaque provides context for the colonial history of the Pacific and the origins of the nation's name. It represents the intersection of Spanish maritime ambition and the enduring geography of Guadalcanal.

Nearby cities

Point Cruz Business District

This district in Honiara is the commercial heart of the country.

Honiara

The capital of the Solomon Islands is located on the north coast of Guadalcanal.

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Kokumbona

A former village west of Honiara that served as the headquarters for the Japanese 17th Army during the Guadalcanal campaign.

Lungga

Lungga is an industrial and residential settlement on the eastern edge of Honiara, located by the river of the same name.

Auki Market Center

Auki is the economic center of Malaita Province.

Auki

Auki is the capital of Malaita Province and one of the largest towns in the country.

Buala

Buala is the capital of Isabel Province, located on the Maringe Lagoon.

A-Tulagi

The surrounding area of Tulagi includes several small island settlements in the Central Province.

Tulagi

Tulagi was the former capital of the British Protectorate and is now the capital of the Central Province.

Tulagi Island

The former capital of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

History & landmarks

Honiara City Council

The city council's administrative building is the hub of Honiara's local government.

Point Cruz Yacht Club

The Yacht Club is a social landmark of Honiara located at the harbor.

Point Cruz

A small peninsula in central Honiara.

All Saints School, Honiara

This historic school is closely linked to the Anglican Church.

Honiara Central Market

Honiara's bustling marketplace located at the historic Point Cruz area, serving as the economic heart of the city.

Honiara Public Library

The public library in the heart of Honiara is a vital cultural and educational landmark.

National Parliament Library

The library is part of the parliament complex and houses key national documents.

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Solomon Islands Parliament Building

The distinctive cone-shaped building in Honiara was completed in 1993 with US assistance.

More places

Yacht Club Pier

The Yacht Club pier is a well-known landmark in Point Cruz harbor.

Honiara Port

This is the primary international maritime port of the Solomon Islands at Point Cruz.

Mendaña Monument

A monument in Honiara commemorating the arrival of Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña in 1568.

All Saints Church, Honiara

The Anglican church in the city center is a significant religious gathering place.

Heritage Park Honiara

Heritage Park is a central landmark in Honiara, blending modern hotel architecture with a site of historical importance.

Honiara Cenotaph

The central war memorial in Honiara, honoring the fallen of all wars, with a focus on Solomon Islander soldiers and scouts.

Bishop Brosnahan Memorial

This memorial honors the first Catholic Bishop of Honiara.

Holy Cross Cathedral

The Catholic cathedral towers on a hill over Honiara and is a prominent landmark.